Area news in brief

Thursday

Oct 30, 2008 at 3:00 PM

Teen allegedly sent inappropriate textsHOUMA — A 17-year-old boy was arrested Tuesday for allegedly exchanging inappropriate text messages and carrying on a sexual relationship with a girl three years his junior.Clarence Christopher Francis, 208 American Blvd., Houma, is charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and molestation of a juvenile.Police said the girl’s parents found the messages and notified police. Investigators said the content of the messages led them to believe Francis made sexual contact with her.Francis posted a $1,500 cash bond Wednesday and was released from jail.

Traffic stop results in drug arrestHOUMA — A Houma motorist was arrested Wednesday night after a traffic stop revealed he was in possession of marijuana, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, had no insurance and was driving with a suspended license due to a previous DWI arrest, police said. Wesley Marchand, 26, 3210 Sharon St., was pulled over after he made a right turn onto Hobson Street from Morgan Street, against oncoming traffic, police said.Patrolman Rusty Theriot, in the neighborhood in response to complaints involving drugs and prostitution, stopped and arrested Marchand, his car, a 2002 Dodge Dakota, was towed.

Pharmacy employee admits stealing drugsHOUMA — A 20-year-old employee at a Walgreens pharmacy on West Tunnel Boulevard admitted stealing about $2200 in prescription pills and passing them to a drug-dealer in exchange for money, State Police said.Danesha Da’shawn Lyons, 361 L. Kirth Drive, Houma, is charged with three counts theft, three counts distribution of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance and three counts distribution of a prescription drug.After a Walgreens loss-prevention employee told police about the suspected thefts, troopers interviewed Lyons, who admitted selling hydrocodone and Soma, a muscle relaxer, to a man she would not identify, police said. Lyons said she was paid about $1,025 for the pills.

Health fair at St. Anne in RacelandHOUMA — Oschner St. Anne General Hospital in Mathews is hosting a health fair beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 15.The hospital will conduct free health screenings, and the first 200 visitors will be offered free flu shots.The hospital is at 4608 La. 1. Call 537-6841 for information.

New playhouse piece focuses on stormsHOUMA — The opening production at Lockport’s new theater is a Hurricane Katrina-themed play. The Halifax Theatre Company’s “Rising Water” runs through Nov. 9 at the Bayou Playhouse, 101 Main St. The Pulitzer Prize-nominated comedy/drama stars Randy Cheramie and Lorna Gianelloni. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays. The Bayou Playhouse rescheduled the opening of its premiere season, originally planned for Aug. 29, due to Hurricane Gustav. For tickets or other information, visit www.bayouplayhouse.com or call 888-99-BAYOU.

Heritage energy expert to speakHOUMA — Bill Beach, a statistician with the Heritage Foundation in Washington will give a talk next week about how current energy bills in Congress could affect Louisiana.The event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Thursday at the Thibodaux Howard Johnson’s Envie Restaurant, at Canal Boulevard and La. 308.It’s sponsored by the Nicholls State University College of Business Administration and JP Morgan Chase. Registration is required. For information, call the College of Business Administration at 448-4171.

Craft showneeds vendorsTHIBODAUX — The Dusty Riders annual Western Day and Craft Show has free booth space available for vendors.Vendors are asked to offer a silent auction item in return for booth space.The craft show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at the E.D. White Plantation Museum, 2295 La. 1 between Thibodaux and Labadieville.For information, call Aaron Louque at 859-5758, Aledia Parks at 414-9496 or Bridget Stein at bridgetstein@bellsouth.net.

Nursing home holdshaunted houseHOUMA — You can trick-or-treat for free at a haunted house from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at The Oaks of Houma, 400 Monarch Drive, Houma.The nursing home’s activities director, Vickie Brumfield, said the home’s 120 residents will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.“It’s unusual for a nursing home to do a haunted house,” she said. “It’s something that we’ve never done before.”There will be a cemetery decorated with pumpkins and what will look like dead bodies on couches.The event is open to the public. For information, call 876-5692.

Christmas toy drive registers familiesTHIBODAUX — Thibodaux area families in need of help with holiday gifts can register this week with the Thibodaux Area Christmas Toy Drive.Registration runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Toy Drive headquarters, 1233 Canal Blvd. in Thibodaux. The office sits behind the American Red Cross office. To qualify, families must live within the Thibodaux delivery area. The registration deadline is Friday.

Larose libraryto hold open houseTHIBODAUX — An open house will be held next month at the new Larose library, a305 E. Fifth St.. The library will have a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14. Refreshments will be served.

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